Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsStay Home and RestDrink Plenty of FluidsAvoid ExerciseTreat Your SymptomsDon’t Smoke or Drink AlcoholChoose Healthy Comfort FoodsKnow When to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Stay Home and Rest
Drink Plenty of Fluids
Avoid Exercise
Treat Your Symptoms
Don’t Smoke or Drink Alcohol
Choose Healthy Comfort Foods
Know When to See a Healthcare Provider
You may want to know what to do when you’re sick withcold symptomsor a stomach flu, so that you can focus on your health and what your body needs to heal and recover.
Your self-care strategies may change depending on your symptoms, but you’ll always want to ensure you have the chance to rest, recuperate, and keep your illness from spreading to others.
This article offers seven strategies meant to help you take care of yourself while sick and boost your chances of recovery. It also lets you know when it’s time to see a healthcare provider.
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Many people feel pressure to keep up with their busy schedules, and that can make it hard to know what to do when you’re sick and have family or other responsibilities.
Yet staying home to rest isn’t just about others. It’s important to your healing process, and studies have shown that sleep is closely linked to your immune function. Sleep plays a role in how well your body fightsinfection,and the immune system depends on similar brain functions that are at work when you have a fever and sickness.
It’s not unusual to go to work because you don’t want to lose pay, or you feel peer pressure about letting down the team.These and other factors contribute to what’s often called “presenteeism” among those who go to work but aren’t able to perform their duties well and put their colleagues at risk of getting sick.
Spare Your Coworkers and Call in Sick
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It can be tough toknow when to call in sick. But certain symptoms, such as a fever, may mean you have a contagious illness that can be spread to others. You should stay home at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.
if you have other symptoms, like a runny nose, it’s better for you and your coworkers if you stay home and rest. These symptoms include:
When to Call in Sick to Work
Some illnesses are more likely to cause dehydration than others. Stomach viruses, for example, can cause symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea that lead to fluid loss and dehydration.Nor is it uncommon for certain respiratory viruses to lead to complications from dehydration.
It’s important to replace lost fluids with plenty of liquids, like water or Pedialyte. Staying hydrated can help you to prevent illness, avoid complications, and promote recovery if you do become sick.
Keep in mind that when you’re dehydrated, you’ve lost key minerals called electrolytes as well as water in your body. An electrolyte imbalance can increase your risk of complications with illness.
What Causes Electrolyte Imbalance and How to Treat It
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Exercise is important, but there are times when it could do more harm than good—both for you and those around you. If you have a fever, skip exercise until it breaks.
Gym workouts are one way to transmit a contagious infection to others. And hard workouts when you have a viral respiratory infection have been associated with your own risk of developingchronic fatigueand, in rare cases,myocarditis(an inflammation affecting your heart muscle).
If you have a few cold symptoms but otherwise feel fine, you may be able to get in some light exercise. Still, it’s best to avoid the gym so you don’t spread your illness to those around you. Always listen to your body and remember that rest is important, too.
Should You Exercise When You’re Sick?
In most cases, you can treat your symptoms at home if you are sick. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications and home remedies may bring relief.
Sick Building Syndrome: Symptoms and How to Get Rid of Them
Over-the-Counter Medication
At home, you can try taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen). Many OTC products contain Tylenol, so yourtotal dosagemay be higher if you take Tylenol along with these medications. Most people should not have more than 4 grams (g) of Tylenol per day.
Some OTC products to consider include:
Try to take an OTC medication that’s targeted toward the symptoms you have. Speak to your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns.
Aspirin for Children and TeensRemember not to use aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) for children and teenagers. It can lead to a complication calledReye’s syndrome. Children also should avoid products like Pepto-Bismol that contain aspirin-like salicylates. For children under age 4, consult your healthcare provider about any OTC medication.
Aspirin for Children and Teens
Remember not to use aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) for children and teenagers. It can lead to a complication calledReye’s syndrome. Children also should avoid products like Pepto-Bismol that contain aspirin-like salicylates. For children under age 4, consult your healthcare provider about any OTC medication.
Influenza Treatments: How to Get Better at Home or With Medication
At-Home Remedies
Home remedies play an important role in what to do when you’re sick. If you’re fighting a respiratory infection like a cold, you can try taking vitamin C but there’s no solid evidence of its benefit. Zinc, however, does appear to offer benefits.Honey can help an irritated throat but remember to avoid its use in children ages younger than 1 year.
You also might consider making changes in your environment, like using a humidifier to help with a respiratory illness or cleaning surfaces to limit spread of a stomach virus.
The 10 Best Foods to Eat When You’re Sick
It’s important to get aflu shotevery year, but you may want to wait until you’re healthy. In some cases, getting vaccinated while you’re sick could lead to a longer recovery time. Talk with your healthcare provider about your symptoms before getting vaccinated.
11 Popular Natural Remedies for the Common Cold
It’s important to avoid smoking while you’re sick, plus smoking can make you more likely to have respiratory illnesses (and an increased risk of complications with them) in the first place.Smoking itself, as with vaping cases, may even be the cause of infection.
It’s best to avoid alcohol use, too, and you may want to cut back on coffee and other caffeinated beverages. They may contribute to dehydration and make it harder for you to recover.
Choose nutritious foods that are easy to digest when you’re sick (and while you’re recovering, too). Try eating broth soups, plain pasta, lean meats, and mashed potatoes to help ease a stomach flu recovery.
The foods known as theBRAT diet(bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) may help while you’re sick.
These Foods Can Help You Recover From the Flu Faster (and Some You Should Avoid)
Foods to Avoid
Healthy foods are good choices but you’ll want to avoid spicy or fried foods. Also limit:
Foods for Diarrhea: Foods and Drinks to Help Ease Symptoms
Sometimes it’s fine to rest and let your cold symptoms pass, but acute respiratory infections are a common reason for an office visit with your healthcare provider.Some symptoms worth calling your healthcare provider about include:
A lot of people go to the emergency room when they have the flu, even though they don’t really need to be there. Althoughinfluenzamakes you feel terrible, chances are good it’s not a true emergency.
The following areflu symptomsthat should prompt a trip to the hospital:
When to See a Doctor for a Cold or Flu
Summary
If you’re sick, it’s important to listen to your body and get plenty of rest. Colds and flu don’t usually require a trip to the ER or even a visit to your healthcare provider. Exceptions include when you have symptoms like severe abdominal pain, persistant vomiting, or pain when you cough.
If you are vomiting or have a fever, it’s important to stay home so you don’t pass your illness along to others. And if you haven’t had your flu shot yet, it’s a good idea to delay it until you are well.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Besedovsky L, Lange T, Haack M.The sleep-immune crosstalk in health and disease.Physiol Rev. 2019 Jul 1;99(3):1325-1380. doi:10.1152/physrev.00010.2018.Daniels S, Wei H, Han Y, Catt H, Denning DW, Hall I,et al.Risk factors associated with respiratory infectious disease-related presenteeism: A rapid review.BMC Public Health. 2021 Oct 28;21(1):1955. doi:10.1186/s12889-021-12008-9.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stay home when you are sick.National Institutes of Health.Viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”).Lacey J, Corbett J, Forni L, Hooper L, Hughes F, Minto G,et al.A multidisciplinary consensus on dehydration: Definitions, diagnostic methods and clinical implications.Ann Med. 2019 May-Jun;51(3-4):232-251. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2019.1628352Braun MM, Barstow CH, Pyzocha NJ.Diagnosis and management of sodium disorders: Hyponatremia and hypernatremia.Am Fam Physician. 2015;91(5):299-307.Orchard JW, Orchard JJ, Puranik R.‘Stay home when sick’ advice: Implications for sport and exercise.BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2021 Oct 12;7(4):e001227. doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001227.Tylenol.Adult dosing.DeGeorge KC, Ring DJ, Dalrymple SN.Treatment of the common cold.Am Fam Physician. 2019 Sep 1;100(5):281-289.Kalil AC, Thomas PG.Influenza virus-related critical illness: Pathophysiology and epidemiology.Crit Care. 2019 Jul 19;23(1):258. doi:10.1186/s13054-019-2539-xPasricha TS, Kochar B.Vaping-associated esophagitis.BMC Gastroenterol.2021 Mar 5;21(1):106. doi:10.1186/s12876-021-01695-8.American Lung Association.Facts about the common cold.National Center for Health Statistics.National ambulatory medical care survey: 2019 national summary tables.Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Who should and who should NOT get a flu vaccine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu: What to do if you get sick.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Besedovsky L, Lange T, Haack M.The sleep-immune crosstalk in health and disease.Physiol Rev. 2019 Jul 1;99(3):1325-1380. doi:10.1152/physrev.00010.2018.Daniels S, Wei H, Han Y, Catt H, Denning DW, Hall I,et al.Risk factors associated with respiratory infectious disease-related presenteeism: A rapid review.BMC Public Health. 2021 Oct 28;21(1):1955. doi:10.1186/s12889-021-12008-9.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stay home when you are sick.National Institutes of Health.Viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”).Lacey J, Corbett J, Forni L, Hooper L, Hughes F, Minto G,et al.A multidisciplinary consensus on dehydration: Definitions, diagnostic methods and clinical implications.Ann Med. 2019 May-Jun;51(3-4):232-251. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2019.1628352Braun MM, Barstow CH, Pyzocha NJ.Diagnosis and management of sodium disorders: Hyponatremia and hypernatremia.Am Fam Physician. 2015;91(5):299-307.Orchard JW, Orchard JJ, Puranik R.‘Stay home when sick’ advice: Implications for sport and exercise.BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2021 Oct 12;7(4):e001227. doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001227.Tylenol.Adult dosing.DeGeorge KC, Ring DJ, Dalrymple SN.Treatment of the common cold.Am Fam Physician. 2019 Sep 1;100(5):281-289.Kalil AC, Thomas PG.Influenza virus-related critical illness: Pathophysiology and epidemiology.Crit Care. 2019 Jul 19;23(1):258. doi:10.1186/s13054-019-2539-xPasricha TS, Kochar B.Vaping-associated esophagitis.BMC Gastroenterol.2021 Mar 5;21(1):106. doi:10.1186/s12876-021-01695-8.American Lung Association.Facts about the common cold.National Center for Health Statistics.National ambulatory medical care survey: 2019 national summary tables.Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Who should and who should NOT get a flu vaccine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu: What to do if you get sick.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Besedovsky L, Lange T, Haack M.The sleep-immune crosstalk in health and disease.Physiol Rev. 2019 Jul 1;99(3):1325-1380. doi:10.1152/physrev.00010.2018.Daniels S, Wei H, Han Y, Catt H, Denning DW, Hall I,et al.Risk factors associated with respiratory infectious disease-related presenteeism: A rapid review.BMC Public Health. 2021 Oct 28;21(1):1955. doi:10.1186/s12889-021-12008-9.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stay home when you are sick.National Institutes of Health.Viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”).Lacey J, Corbett J, Forni L, Hooper L, Hughes F, Minto G,et al.A multidisciplinary consensus on dehydration: Definitions, diagnostic methods and clinical implications.Ann Med. 2019 May-Jun;51(3-4):232-251. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2019.1628352Braun MM, Barstow CH, Pyzocha NJ.Diagnosis and management of sodium disorders: Hyponatremia and hypernatremia.Am Fam Physician. 2015;91(5):299-307.Orchard JW, Orchard JJ, Puranik R.‘Stay home when sick’ advice: Implications for sport and exercise.BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2021 Oct 12;7(4):e001227. doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001227.Tylenol.Adult dosing.DeGeorge KC, Ring DJ, Dalrymple SN.Treatment of the common cold.Am Fam Physician. 2019 Sep 1;100(5):281-289.Kalil AC, Thomas PG.Influenza virus-related critical illness: Pathophysiology and epidemiology.Crit Care. 2019 Jul 19;23(1):258. doi:10.1186/s13054-019-2539-xPasricha TS, Kochar B.Vaping-associated esophagitis.BMC Gastroenterol.2021 Mar 5;21(1):106. doi:10.1186/s12876-021-01695-8.American Lung Association.Facts about the common cold.National Center for Health Statistics.National ambulatory medical care survey: 2019 national summary tables.
Besedovsky L, Lange T, Haack M.The sleep-immune crosstalk in health and disease.Physiol Rev. 2019 Jul 1;99(3):1325-1380. doi:10.1152/physrev.00010.2018.
Daniels S, Wei H, Han Y, Catt H, Denning DW, Hall I,et al.Risk factors associated with respiratory infectious disease-related presenteeism: A rapid review.BMC Public Health. 2021 Oct 28;21(1):1955. doi:10.1186/s12889-021-12008-9.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stay home when you are sick.
National Institutes of Health.Viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”).
Lacey J, Corbett J, Forni L, Hooper L, Hughes F, Minto G,et al.A multidisciplinary consensus on dehydration: Definitions, diagnostic methods and clinical implications.Ann Med. 2019 May-Jun;51(3-4):232-251. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2019.1628352
Braun MM, Barstow CH, Pyzocha NJ.Diagnosis and management of sodium disorders: Hyponatremia and hypernatremia.Am Fam Physician. 2015;91(5):299-307.
Orchard JW, Orchard JJ, Puranik R.‘Stay home when sick’ advice: Implications for sport and exercise.BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2021 Oct 12;7(4):e001227. doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001227.
Tylenol.Adult dosing.
DeGeorge KC, Ring DJ, Dalrymple SN.Treatment of the common cold.Am Fam Physician. 2019 Sep 1;100(5):281-289.
Kalil AC, Thomas PG.Influenza virus-related critical illness: Pathophysiology and epidemiology.Crit Care. 2019 Jul 19;23(1):258. doi:10.1186/s13054-019-2539-x
Pasricha TS, Kochar B.Vaping-associated esophagitis.BMC Gastroenterol.2021 Mar 5;21(1):106. doi:10.1186/s12876-021-01695-8.
American Lung Association.Facts about the common cold.
National Center for Health Statistics.National ambulatory medical care survey: 2019 national summary tables.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Who should and who should NOT get a flu vaccine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu: What to do if you get sick.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Who should and who should NOT get a flu vaccine.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu: What to do if you get sick.
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